|
|
God 's Grace, have you ever wondered what Grace is? What is it? How do you explain God's Grace? Most people will say something like this "Grace is God's unmerited favor or undeserved favor of God" Lets take a look at what the Word of God has to say about Grace.
Grace is God's unmerited favor or undeserved favor of God. It is kindness from God we don't deserve. There is nothing we have done nor can do to earn this favor. It is a free gift from God. You get it even though you didn't earn, merit or pay for it. You can not do any performance, act or deed to get grace, it is just there or not, it is completely up to God.
Let's look at the definitions of Grace, Favor, Unmerited; and look at the Word to see what God said about grace.
Grace =
1. elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action
4. Favor or goodwill.
9. a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
b. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans.
Favor =
1. something done or granted out of goodwill, rather than from justice or for payment; a kind act.
2. friendly or well-disposed regard; goodwill:
10. to regard with favor; approve; sanction
1) Manner
2) Action
3) Favor
4) Good will
5) freely given
a. unmerited favor and love
b. The influence or spirit of God operating in humans.
1) Goodwill "kindness"
"rather than from justice or for payment"
2) A Kind act
3) Friendly
4) Approve
5) Sanction
"authoritative permission or approval, as for an action."
Merited = something that deserves praise or reward; commendable quality or act:
Unmerited = Not merited; not deserved; obtained without service or equivalent; as unmerited promotion.
1) Not merited
2) Not deserved
3) Obtained without service
Holman DictionaryGRACE = Undeserved acceptance and love received from another, especially the characteristic attitude of God in providing salvation for sinners. |
Strong's DictionaryGK = Grace Favour = 5485. charis, khar'-ece; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act espec. the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): |
1) Graciousness (as gratifying)
2) Divine influence upon the heart, It's reflection in the life
3) Gratitude
1) pleasantly kind, Kindness, respect,
2) divine assistance given to humans
It's mirror (image or echo) in the life
3) Gratefulness, being thankful
Grace is kindness, an act done to satisfy, being thankful, and God's influence on our hearts, but unmerited favor, I don't see from the Greek; let's look at the way grace is used in the word.
(1 Pet 1:10 -14 KJV) Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: (v11) searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (v12) Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (v13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (v14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
The word revelation means an uncovering, a removal of the veil, and a disclosure of what was previously unknown. Revelation of God is God's manifestation of Himself to man.
(2 Cor 3:16 - 18 KJV) Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. (v17) Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (v18) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Grace comes as Jesus is revealed; when we see Jesus we get grace for we see him in part throw the word, and are changed from glory to glory.
(2 Pet 1:2 KJV) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
(2 Pet 3:18 KJV) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.
Hear we see that grace and peace comes from getting knowledge of God, it is multiplied in our lives, are you growing in grace?
(Eph 4:7 KJV) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
(Rom 12:3 KJV) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
(Rom 5:2 KJV) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
(James 4:6 KJV) But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
We have seen in these verses that Grace comes as we get knowledge of God. We have access to this grace by faith and being humble.
(Col 1:10 KJV) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
(Mat 8:26 KJV) And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
(Mat 8:10 KJV) When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
(Mat 9:29 KJV) Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
(Mat 18:4 KJV) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(Mat 23:12 KJV) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Grace is God's unmerited favor or un-deserved favor of God. It is kindness from God we don't deserve. There is nothing we have done nor can do to earn this favor. It is a free gift from God. You get it even though you didn't earn, merit or pay for it. You cannot do any performance, act or deed to get grace, it is just there or not, it is completely up to God.
1) Grace is God's unmerited favor
2) is nothing we have done
3) You cannot do any performance, act or deed to get grace,
The word grace in the old testament is two Hebrew words.
HB = H2580 chên khane From H2603; graciousness, that is, subjectively (kindness, favor) or objectively (beauty): - favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.
It is used 69 times, it is used 38 times as grace.
HB = H8467 techinnâh tekh-in-naw' From H2603; graciousness; causatively entreaty: - favour, grace, supplication.
It is used 25 times, only one time as grace.
The English word for grace is used 39 times in the Old Testament.
(Gen 18:3 KJV) And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
(Gen 32:5 - 6 KJV) And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight. And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.
(Exo 34:9 KJV) And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.
HB = 8467. techinnah, tekh-in-naw'; from H2603; graciousness; caus. entreaty:
(Ezra 9:8 KJV) And now for a little space grace hath been showed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
(Psa 119:170 KJV) Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
1) graciousness = kind - cuurteous, respect
2) kindness
3) favor = something done or granted out of goodwill
(Psa 84:11 KJV) For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace"2580" and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
(Prov 3:34 KJV) Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace"2580" unto the lowly.
We can see from these verses that it can be merited or earned by walking uprightly and being humble.
So to answers our question where do people come up with the unmerited favor for grace???
The only spot we have seen unmerited was in Webster's Dictionary and Holman Dictionary, which says
WD = 9. a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
HD = Undeserved acceptance and love received from another, especially the characteristic attitude of God in providing salvation for sinners.
As we have see from the scriptures God's grace is not unmerited favor, there is nothing we have done to merit, God's love, and there is nothing we can do to atone for our sins, but believe in God's provision of his Son.
But our Christen life does not end at salvation that is only the beginning. We need God's grace that is His influence upon our hearts, daily to help and guide us.
Grace is given by God to transform your character into harmonoy with his character. So you act, respond, do as He does. The Holy Spirit prompts you on the inside, prompts you in your spirit. you respond to his prompting.
This is GRACE, God's influence and your response to it, you are becoming more Christ like, changing from glory to glory.
We have seen that grace comes as we get Knowledge of God and we have access to this grace by faith and being humble.
The English word for Grace is used 131 times in the New Testament
GK = 156 times as 5485
acceptable
benefit
favor
gift
grace (-ious)
joy liberality
pleasure
thank (-s, -worthy)
The word Favor is you'd only 6 times and it is the Greek word 5485 the same word for grace, it is you'd in Luke 1:30, 2:52 and in Acts 2:47, 7:10,46 25:3.
GK = 5485. charis, khar'-ece; from G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstr. or concr.; lit., fig. or spiritual; espec. the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):
(as gratifying) pleasantly kind, Kindness, respect,
To give pleasure or satisfaction "the act of satisfying"
It's reflection in the life divine assistance given to humans
It's mirror (image or echo) in the life
Gratefulness, being thankful
So we see that grace can be used three different ways in the scriptures. So when you see the word grace in the word you need to decide which aspect of grace is being you'd in the scripture passage. To do this you need to look at the context, to see the way it is being used. In most cases the KJV translators have done this for you by translating the Greek word to a proper English word, for the meaning.
(Luke 1:30 KJV) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
(Luke 4:22 KJV) And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
(Acts 2:47 KJV) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
(Acts 7:46 KJV) David found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
(Acts 25:9 KJV) But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
(Luke 6:33 KJV) And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
(Luke 17:9 KJV) Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
(John 1:14 KJV) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
(John 1:17 KJV) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
(Acts 4:33 KJV) And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
(Acts 13:43 KJV) Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
(Rom 1:4 - 5 KJV) And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
The { grace of God } is used 24 times and it refers to Divine influence upon the heart, and it's reflection in the life.
(Titus 2:11 - 12 KJV) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
(Heb 12:28 KJV) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
(Heb 4:16 KJV) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
(Rom 5:17 KJV) For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
The book of 1 Peter teaches us about grace, it's reflection in the life; the word grace is used 10 times in the book.
(1 Pet 1:2 KJV) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
(1 Pet 1:10 KJV) Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
(1 Pet 1:13 KJV) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
(1 Pet 2:19 KJV) For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
(1 Pet 2:20 KJV) For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
(1 Pet 3:7 KJV) Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
(1 Pet 4:10 KJV) As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
(1 Pet 5:5 KJV) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
(1 Pet 5:10 KJV) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
(1 Pet 5:12 KJV) By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
(Rom 5:2 KJV) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
(Heb 12:15 KJV) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
(Heb 12:28 KJV) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
(2 Pet 3:18 KJV) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
(Rev 22:21 KJV) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
(Eph 2:7-9 KJV) That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (v8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (v9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
In his kindness toward us --- In his love and usefulness
through Christ Jesus --- He gave his son on the cross
by grace are ye saved --- by Gods influence upon your heart, of this truth
through faith --- You believed in Jesus, as you Savor
WD -- through = beginning to end/all the way/among/being completed
not of yourselves --- God prompts you, You responded
WD -- of = derivation, source / origin
It is the gift of God --- It is a sacrifice "Jesus"
G1435 -- gift = a present; spec. a sacrifice:
Not of works --- We cannot, by our best works, merit pardon of sin
Jesus' atoning sacrifice is the only thing that can pay for our sins.
(Eph 1:13 KJV) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
(Rom 10:17 KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Heb 5:9 KJV) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
(Eph 2:7-9 KJV) That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (v8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (v9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
At the appointed time in history Jesus came and was the sacrifice for our sins. You heard the gospel, Christ was reveled to your heart, God influenced your heart. You believed, mixed faith to God's word and where saved. Not by any work or deeds that you did, but the gift, sacrifice of God, Jesus the atoning sacrifice.
(Rom 3:20 KJV) Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The law = It provides a mirror to reveal our sin.
Heb 10:1a For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things,
Salvation is a free gift. It is a personal decision; you either accept the Lord Jesus as the atoned sacrifice for your sins or you reject Him. You have to believe, receive and obey the Lord Jesus Christ personally. The Lord will not force you to receive Him. It is your choice.
(Heb 4:2 KJV) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
